MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: Spider-Gwen: Gwenverse (2022) #3 REVIEW

Gwen is obviously such a huge hit with the fans, and being such a big celebrity only means one thing: the more Gwen, the better! And that is what this comic book series is all about. Not only are we delighted with the presence of Gwen the web-slinger, but we are also treated to Gwen as Thor, Wolverine, Captain America, Iron WOMAN and coming very soon…. Captain Marvel? While still a very fun, light, and bubbly title, the stakes remain very high in this tale, as all of reality, especially our main Gwen’s universe, hangs on the line. The series also provides some quirky and unique takes on the older characters like Norman Osborn, Tony Stark, and some other baddies that will make all the different Gwens work hard and earn their right to save all of existence. This volume is proof that it is not the suit or costume that makes the hero… it is the person beneath it all that will determine if she or he will be considered one of the good ones.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS WEBSITE DESCRIPTION:

Published:

June 15, 2022

Writer:

Tim Seeley

Penciler:

Jodi Nishijima

Cover Artist:

David Nakayama

MEET THE CAPTAIN AMERICA OF 1954…GWEN STACY! Ghost Spider’s time-traveling/dimension-hopping mission continues! Gwen has landed in her universe’s 1954…so then how can there be someone running around with her face, carrying Captain America’s shield?!

PROS:

• I have to say: I was pleasantly surprised by how intricate, complex, deep, and relevant the inner workings of our main villain were explained in this issue. What started out as a fascination for her mother, branched out into a fierce hatred for society, for not acknowledging the greatness of her parent’s works. And now, the main goal in mind is to become all-powerful through fame… to never be forgotten, ever again, and to be immortalized. All this is very relevant because some would say that is an issue the youth are facing nowadays. There is always a constant need to be popular, trending, famous, liked, remembered… especially when it comes to social media. The call-out by the creative team for such hard-hitting social commentary is much appreciated.
• The art in this issue was amazing, as at some points it really felt like an animated movie coming to life before my very own eyes. It also helps that the line-up of both villains and heroes was so stacked, left to right, that the action was so vibrant and lively. The transformation of Norman Osborn was as wicked as ever, and the clash that our young heroes had with him proved both glorious and tragic at the same time. Any story with a powerful Norman twist at the end is an instant classic, memorable forever.
• This chapter also establishes how Gwen is truly a major player, worthy of cosmic level events in the grand scheme of things. For the longest time, she has gotten used to the daily grind of petty and street-level shenanigans. But by putting her in the middle of this grand and epic tale, she is really shining as a top-tier hero ready to save the entire reality.

CONS:

• Although the Gwen version of Wolverine was able to show off her claws, and her ruthless attitude, the minor problem with having so many Gwens in one title is that not all will get their moment to shine. It might prove challenging to flesh out each and every version of the iconic character. But nevertheless, it is a pure joy and massive wonder to just be able to see all of them assemble and work together to save the world.

FINAL GRADE: A

This will be a very good appetizer for those figuratively dying in agony, waiting for the next couple of movies starring Miles Morales and Gwen, hopping from one universe to the other. In the meantime, this will also give many cosplayers around the world more options of who to go as in the next conventions. This comic also revealed that it was Gwen who actually created the very concept and phenomenon of cosplay, as she traveled back in time and sparked the pop-culture movement. I am hyped to see how many more versions of Gwen this team can churn out, but I have to give credit where credit is due: so far, all these hot new takes on Gwen are very likeable, and when this story does come to an end, I think will be missing them all.